The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has just launched the Rano Maharitra and Dio Sera projects in Madagascar, aimed at improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in rural areas. The total cost of the work is estimated at $45 million.
According to a survey carried out in 2018 by the Malagasy authorities, barely 43% of the population has access to improved water sources, and 17% uses basic sanitation facilities. The Rano Maharitra and Dio Sera projects, launched by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on 30 May, are designed to improve these figures. “Access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and good hygiene saves lives and is essential for good health, especially for children”, explains the US agency, which will also be funding the work.
Rano Maharitra will be implemented by a dynamic consortium led by CARE International and including WaterAid, iDE and three Madagascan companies, Miarakap, BushProof and Sandandrano, over a five-year period. The $35 million initiative aims to improve access to and use of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for rural households in seven regions of the country, namely Vatovavy, Fitovinany, Sofia, Betsiboka, Anosy, Androy and Atsimo Atsinanana. In particular, through the establishment of systematic partnerships with national and regional governments, water and sanitation institutions, communities, private sector entities, civil society organisations (CSOs) and beneficiaries.
At least 900,000 beneficiaries for the two projects
The $10 million Dio Sera project aims to sustainably increase household access to affordable, quality sanitation products and services in targeted urban and peri-urban areas.
Implemented by a consortium led by iDE and including GRET, Practica, WaterAid , Runway and Sango, it relies on formative studies to inform strategies, the release of funding and investment for the WASH sector, the strengthening of governance structures at national and municipal levels, the development of desirable and accessible sanitation services and products, and the stimulation of behavioural change within communities in three cities – Mahajanga, Toamasina and Fianarantsoa.
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Overall, the projects launched by USAID will improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene for 917,000 people, i.e. more than 742,000 people thanks to the “Rano Maharitra”, 312,000 of whom will have access to drinking water. These systems will be managed by local companies trained by the project as part of a public-private partnership (PPP).
The Dio Sera project will enable 175,000 people to benefit from a basic sanitation service, managed in complete safety.
Inès Magoum
